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Description

STOKE ROCHFORD STOCK ROCHFORD PARK SK 92 NW 6/164 Stoke Rochford Hall 14.7.78 G.V. I Former country house, now a residential trade union centre. 1841-5 by William Burn for Sir Christopher Turnor, in a Jacobethan style. Pecked ashlar with smooth ashlar quoins and dressings, Welsh slate roofs having raised stone coped gables with obelisk finials, numerous tall octagonal grouped stacks, in a variety of styles, mostly facetted with moulded cornices, some with twisted cable mouldings and elaborate cornices. Irregular L-plan comprising central 2 storey plus attics principal range with, to left and at right angles, a more restrained service wing to full height with projecting single storey range. To right an orangery also single storey, continues the main front. Chamfered plinth, 2 moulded cornice bands, round headed arched balustraded parapets, raised shaped alternating quoins. Main doorway is contained in an advanced 2 storey porch which has an elaborate strapwork gable with obelisks, broken segmental pediment and lion. Central panelled double doors with plain fanlight, elaborately moulded architrave with cabochon stones, fasces, and fruit, flanked by blank semi-circular headed niches with shells to archivolts. To first floor a mullioned semi-circular oriel with moulded base is flanked by single 2 light windows, the top has pierced strapwork parapet. To the gable a decorated square panel contains an ashlar clock face with Roman numerals, hands missing, scrolled top and above the Turnor arms with helm over. The entry bay is flanked by glazed tripartite balustraded and top lit loggias again with cabochon and fasces with above single 3 light windows and gabled dormers. The outer gabled projecting flanking bays have tall 2 storey rectangular bays each containing 6 light windows, with pierced strapwork parapets. The angles of the bays are crowned by square turrets with ogee ashlar roofs having open work obelisk pinnacles. The turrets are linked by single pinnacled gables. To left hand service wing is a second doorway with moulded eared architrave with scrolled overdoor. To first and second floor are 2 light windows. To side are pairs of 3 light windows to each floor with a gable over the projecting left hand bay having ball finials. At the angle of the service wing and long single storey range is a facetted stair tower with octagonal turret. In the lower range, which has a basement having 4 tall glazing bar sashes, are to the ground floor alternating 2 and 3 light windows topped by moulded cornices, pierced parapet and 4 urns. This range terminates in an advanced L-shaped block with angle turrets and gable matching the main house. To right of main block the Orangery has 3 large 4 light windows to the side walls with a projecting rectangular end bay having 3 pairs of similar lights. The windows are separated by Doric pilasters supporting a plain cornice surmounted by urns and a pierced strapwork cartouche over the advanced bay. The rear side has slightly projecting gabled wings with angle turrets and facetted bay windows through 2 storeys. Between the end bays are 5 tall 3 light windows to first and second floors with gabled dormers linked by pierced parapets above. All windows are ovolo mullioned and transomed, and the lead rainwater goods bear foliated "T" for Turnor and are dated 1843. Interior. The central hall has Jacobean style panelling with segmental broken pedimented overdoors. The fireplace has an elaborate pedimented stone overmantle with strapwork flanked by classical demi figures. To left 3 full height arches, provide access to the service range beyond. The coffered ceiling has strapwork plaster cartouches and cornice. The library at the upper end of the hall has 2 elaborately carved fireplaces with mirrors over and carved surrounds. The walls are shelved and the ceiling has rich strap and scrollwork with pendants. The fittings of the Turnor Room are in the Louis Quinze style with a white marble fireplace and 4 large mirrors having gilded Roccoco surrounds. The doors and shutters have similar panels, with gesso mouldings, ormolu handles and scrolled lock plates. The anachronistic plaster ceiling however continues the Jacobethan style of the house. At the east end of the room double panelled folded doors lead to the Rochford Room, which is in a similar style retaining 2 mirrors and a white fireplace. In the former Music Room a large chimney piece in black and white marble. Winged caryatids with claw feet, feathered bosoms, winged heads. Massive entablature, white frieze of foliage. Thought by some to be Flemish C17, but the faces look C19. The grand stair has moulded newels and handrail originally with semi-circular arched pierced balusters with panelled underside having one curved section. In c.1900 some sections of the original balustrades were replaced by pierced fretwork painted wooden panels depicting scenes from a Grand Tour made by Christopher Turnor the then owner of the house. The principal corridor upstairs has bolection moulded dado panelling. The service range is generally restrained but has plaster ceiling decorations in C17 vernacular manner. Cantilevered service stair has cast iron papyrus balusters and moulded wooden handrail. Beneath the central block is a narrow gauge railway with square track layout, contained in brick vaulted tunnels, the rails and turntable survive, this was used to take coals to the principal rooms. Also brick vaulted wine cellar. Listing NGR: SK9183628061

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